Improvement in apparatus for supplying fuel to furnaces



3 Sheet s-Sheet 1.

H. G. CARVER.

Patented Sept. 30, 1879.

Apparatus for Supplying Fuel to Fufnaoes No. 220,053.

NFETERS. PHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER WASHINGTON D C.

.3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. G. CARVER. Apparatus for Supplying Fuel to Furnaces. No.,220 ,053. Patented 'Se-pt. 30,1879.

\AI/ITN ESSESZ N. PETEfis. PHOTOUTHQGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D (:V

3 Sheet s-Sheet 3.

H. G. CARVER. Apparatus for Supplying Fuel to Furnaces.

No. 220,053. Patented Sept. 30,1879.

I IIIIIII/IIIJYl/l/ll/A i I 1 5 o UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY G. CARVER, OF LLANIDLOES, COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY, WALES,

GREAT BRITAIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL T0 FURNACES.

Specification forming part .of Letters Patent No. 220,053, dated September 30, 1879; application filed November 1, 1878 patented in England, January 16, 1877, and February 10, 1878.

.ing endless chains, formed or provided with teeth or projections, eitherin conjunction with one or more fixed plates, with or without teeth or projections, or without such fixed plate or plates, according to the relative position of the chains to one another; or one chain, as described, may be used in conjunction with one or more fixed plates with or without teeth or projections'. Thus pieces of fuel exceeding the size desired to be thrown onto the fire are broken up or reduced by the action of the teeth or projections. The fuel that is not too large, in-

eluding that which has been broken up, as dc,-

scribed, is fed onward to and along a channel or passage having an outlet, the elevation of the lower edge of which is regulated by an adjustable valve or plate, which may be adjusted to any required position. In other words, the upper edge of this valve or plate constitutes the lower adjustable edge of the out-let. Any

' excess of fuel carried out of the hopper by the breaking or feeding apparatus is returned to the hopper through an aperture provided for the purpose.

By the foregoing arrangement fuel fed toward the regulating valve or plate passes through the outlet inquantiiies depending upon the elevation of the lower edge of the outlet, as regulated by the said "alve or plate, to the distributing apparatus.

The endless chain .iscarried by axes, one of which is operated from a suitable main drivin g-shaft (provided with fast and loosepulleys) through a worm and worm-wheel arrangement, as hereinafter described.

The distributing apparatus used in conjunctionwith the foregoingimprovements is of that class which consists of revolving fans or beaters, which scatter the fuel which is fed to them over the fire; and my invention embraces improved means for driving such distributers, when carried by the furnace-door, for which purpose, in connection with each distributeraxis, I employ a flexible shaft or spiral coil of wire, and an intermediate shaft or spindle, operated from the above-named driving-shaft, as hereinafter more fully described. t

It will be evident that mechanical stokers or feeders embodying the several improvements hereinabove referred to (or some of them) may be constructed in various forms.

In the arrangement I prefer to adopt in carrying out myinvcntion the following features are embodied.

The main driving-shaft is provided, near its upper end, with a tubular part, like an inverted cup,-which surrounds the shaft and revolves in a combined bearing and. annular, oil-cup, supported by a hollow or tubular bracket. The lower end of the main driving-shaft works in a foot-step carried by a bracket, which is attached to the fuel-breaking box by a single hinge-pin, and abuts against the said box. .The intermediate shaft or spindle, which (through the flexible shaft already mentioned) operates the distributor-shaft, is driven through a clutch and spur-gear from the main driving-shaft. The clutch will, when the distributer offers excessive resistance, allow themain drivingshaft to rotate without driving the'distributer. The clutch will also allow the distributor to overrun the main driving-shaft. MI; 1

The relative speeds of the main drivingshaft and distributor maybe varied by changing the pinion in the spur-gear. For this purpose the pinion-axis is held in a disk having a hole situated eccentrically, and hereinafter called the eccentric hole, through which the axis passes. The disk is adjustablein a box or case, so as to place the hole, and with it the pinion-axis, at a greater or less distance from the main driving-shaft. l

The pinion is carried by. an oil-vessel, to which the axis is secured, and a; tube or bearin g, in which the axis revolves, passes through the eccentric hole in the disk, and is held there by means of a nut and collar. A collar. at the upper end of the axis, secured by a pin, prevents the pinion and its attachments from falling down.

The distribnter-body is open at one end. At its other end is a boss, into which is screwed one part of an axis formed in two lengths, which works in a socket-like bearin g, provided with a setting-screw for adjusting the longitudinal position of the axis, and with a lubri cator, as hereinafter described.

Inside the distributer-body may be fixed blades, to promote circulation of air and pre vent overheating of the hearing, or the distributer-body may be perforated with the same object.

The door-case containing the distributer is furnished with a trap-door.

In connection with the lever of the drivingbelt shifter I arrange a catch, which looks the furnace-door in its closed position so long as the belt is on the fast pulley. I make the endless feeding-chain of steel Cshaped links, con nected together by steel pins, which project at the sides of the chain, and at their ends travel within and against curved fixed guides or liners, which prevent the pins rubbing against the fuel-breaking box. The endless chain is carried and driven by toothed wheels arranged at the sides of the chain and carried by two shafts. The wheels on one shaft support and drive the chain; those on the other shaft only support the chain. Both ends of the carryingwheels shaft and one end of the drivingwheels shaft work in socket-bushes fitted in the sides of the fuelbreaking box and furnished with suitable lubricators. Inside the fold of the chain is a plate, upon which the chain slides and by which it is prevented from drooping when the teeth are reducing the lumps of fuel. The distributor is on the furnace-door, wherewith the distributor-containing case may be cast.

I attach the fuel-breaking-box and parts carried thereby to a Lancashire or Cornish boileras follows: On top of the boiler, at front, I secure a saddle, which carries an adjustable forked support or hearing, wherein a tube or holder is held by trunnions or axes. Through this tube or holder passes a suspending rod, pivoted below to the fuel-breaking box, and screwed at its upper end, which is furnished with a nut supported by the tube or holder. There is also a branch connection between the suspending-rod and the fuel-breaking box, as hereinafter described. Thus the-fuel-breakin g box and parts carried thereby are held up at any suitable height to which they may be adjusted by the nut and by screws connected to the fuel-breaking box and furnace-front, the requisite distance between the fuel-breaking box and boiler being maintained by adjustable studs carried by the fuel-breaking box.

It will be evident that similar means may be used to attach the stoker to furnaces of different kinds.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of the machine, the

boiler to which it is attached being shown in section. Fig. 1 is a vertical section, showing the upper portion of the main driving-shaft, with tubular part surrounding same, the combined bearing and annular oil-cup, and part of the tubular bracket. Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine and boiler, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a sectional plan of the machine and boiler-flue, taken near the delivery-orifice of the fuel-breaking box, the boiler-flue being in mid-section. This view shows more particularly the arrangement of the screws by which the fuel-breaking box is attached to the furnacc'front. Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged views of the endless chain and of the parts connected therewith. Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged views of the distribntcr-drivin g apparatus and of the parts connected therewith. Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged views of the distributer and of the parts connected therewith. Fig. 10 is a view showing the upper portion of the pinionaxis a, with other parts in section. Fig. 11 is a view showing the lower portion of the pinion-axis n, with other parts in section, and illustrates the connection with the flexible shaft q for driving the distributer. Fig. 12 is a section in the line A B of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is a section in the line 0 D of Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a section of the end of the distributeraxis and of the connection with the flexible shaft q. Fig. 15 is a plan of the fan-blade of the distributer, taken at the periphery of the fans path.

Ais the fuel-hopper, which fits into the breaking-box e, in which the fuel is broken up. This box is secured in the present case to the boiler, as hereinafter described. B is the outlet leading into the delivery-spout 0, through which the fuel is fed to the distribt'iting apparatus.

U is a plate placed opposite the endless chain in the breaking-box, andis provided with projecting teeth, as shown. The endless chain is of peculiar construction, as already mentioned and as hereinafter described, and by it the fuel is broken up and conveyed into and along the channel D, which is formed between the chain and the inclined under part of the breaking-box. The fuel is thus either discharged over the adjustable lower edge of the outlet B into the spout e, or is returned partly or wholly into the breaking-box and hopper through the aperture E.

F is a valve or plate, which is made capable of sliding vertically up or down opposite the opening B by means of the two racks G which are attached to it at its respective sides. The upper edge, F, of this valve or plate constitutes the adjustable lower edge of the outlet B. Spurwheels H, keyed upon a cross-shaft, gear into the racks, as shown. J is a handle on the cross-shaft.

a is the upright main driving-shaft of the machine; b", the loose pulley; b, the fast drivlug-pulley, the boss of which has a tubular extension or inverted cup, I), at its lower end- (See Fig. 1*.) c is the bearing in which this tubularextension works orrevolves,.and which, together w1th an internal tube, 0!, as shownin Fig.1", forms an annular oil-cup, which retains the lubricant. This combinedbearing and annular oil-cup is supported by the tubular bracket 0".

It is evident that the tubular extension or inverted cup I) may be made aud'secured to the .upright shaft a quite independently of the fast pulley b.

d is the footstep, which carries the upright shaft a. This footstep is attached to the breaking-box e by the single hinge-pin f, and abuts against the breaking-box at g. h, Fig. 8,'is the distributershaft, which is driven bythe flexible shaftqand spur-wheels j 70 through a clutch, which consists of theratchet l, secured to=the spur-wheel j, and of a trigger andspring, 1", working in a socket upon a disk, m", forming part of the worm m, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

n, Fig. 6, is the pinion-axis, held in the disk 0, having a hole eccentric to the disk, through which hole the axis passes. 19 is the box or case, in which the disk is held by means of a nut and collar, as shown, and in which the disk is adjustable, so as to place the center of the hole at a greater or less distance from the centerof the upright shaft or, according tothe size of the pinion k which is required to be used.

A key, secured to the box or case, and notches, into which this key fits, in the disk, as shown in Fig. 7, enable the requisite adjustments to be made with speed and accuracy.

The pinion 7c is carried by an oil-vessel, k", to which the axis a is secured, and a tube or bearing, W, in which the axisrevolves, passes through the eccentric hole in the disk. 0, and is held there by means of a nut and-collar, as shown. A collar at the upper end of the axis, secured by 'a pin; prevents the pinion and its attachments from falling down, and a cap over this collar forms a protection against dust and prevents the collar-pin from coming out.

1,Figs. 8 and 9, is the distributer-body, which is shown open at. the right-hand end, Fig: 8. At the other end is a boss, 1"", as shown, into which is screwed one part of'the axis h, which is formed in two lengths, as shown, to facilitate the removal of the distributer from :and its replacement in the .distributer-case. The part of the axis which projects beyond the'distributer-case is requisite to agitate the needle of a lubricator, placed in the hole shown in the socket-like bearing 8, in'which the axis revolves. This bearing is held in the boss t,

forming partof the distributer-case u, by a set-.

screw, v, and is provided with another setscrew, to, which closes one end of it and afl'ords facility for the longitudinal adjustmentof the axis h.

Spiral blades (not shown in the drawings) may be fixed inside the distributer-body, or the distributer-body maybe perforated, as already mentioned,for the promotion of a current of 4 air about the bearing, so as to prev-entit from becoming over-heated.

00, Figs. land 2, is a trap-door to a receptacle in the bottom of the dist'ributer-case to, through which any accumulation of fuel inside the receptacle and'case may be readily discharged.

' y is the lever of the belt-shifter,' 'and z is a catch in connection with it, whichcatch locks the furnace'door 9 in its closed position so long asthe belt is on the fast pulley b,'by passing .throughthe casting of the breaking-box and into the furnace-door.

1 1, Figs. 4 and 5, are the. C-shaped steel links of the-endless chain, connected together by the steel pins 2 2, which project at the sides of the chain, and at their ends travel within and against the curved fixed guides or liners 3 3, which protect the breaking-box from abrasion. 4 4 are the toothed wheels upon the shaft 5, which wheels serve the two purposes of carrying and driving the endless chain; and 6 6 are the toothed wheels upon the shaft 7, which only carry the endless chain,

8 8 are the socket-bushes, fittedinto the sides of-the breakin g-boxe, (oneofwhich sidesconsists partly of a removable plate, 22.) The socketbushes 8 are provided with lubricators, their construction being such that the'luhr'icant does not escape to the outside of themachine.

22* is the plate, placed within the fold of the chain, upon which the chain slidesand by which it is prevented from drooping when the teeth are reducing the lumps of fuel. 10 is the saddle, secured to the boiler immediately above the furnace-flue, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by

' means of two set-screws screwed down onto a pad which bridges over the rivet-heads of the boiler. 11 is the forked support, which swivels and is adjustable in the saddle, and is secured to it by a screwed end furnished with a nut. It. carries the tube or holder 12 by means of trunnions or axes, as shown. :Through this tube or holder passes the suspending-rod 13, pivoted atits lower end to the breaking-box, and screwed and furnished with a nut,which rests on the tube or holder at its upperend. 15 is the branch, one end of which isconnected to the suspending-rod. Its otherend is in the form of a segment concentric with the hingepin of the suspending-rod, and is secured by a bolt to a bracket upon thebreaking=box. The. suspendin g-rod is thus prevented from moving about its hinge after having \been set to the required angle.

16 16 are screws connecting the fuel-breaking box to the furnace-front, means of adjust-- ment being afforded by the-locking-nnts, as shown. 17 17 are the adjustable studs,.made of a bent form, so as to enable them to be set clear of rivet-heads or other projections on the boilerface. A

The action of themachine is asfollows: Motion is communicated by means of a belt on the fast pulley b to the main driving-shaft a. This shaft, by the worm m andworm-wheel m drives the axis 5 of the endless chain 1, causing that chain to travel in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig.1. The shaft on also drives (through the clutch arrangement already described) the spur-wheel j, which drives the pinion Ir, thereby rotating the spindle n, flexible shaft q, and distributer-shaft It. Thus the distributer r is rotated. in the direction indicated by the curved arrow in Fig. 1. Fuel is placed in the hopper A and breakingbox a. The chain 1, moving in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 1, carries down the fuel by means of the teeth h into the channel D, atthe same time breaking those pieces which are too large to pass into the channel by pressing them against the plate 0 and its teeth. The fuel which is carried along the channel D is either discharged through the outlet B, or is returned, partly or wholly, through the aperture E, according to the position of the valve or plate F. The fuel which is discharged into the spout 0 passes down through the top of the fire-door on to the distributer, the heaters of which scatter the fuel over the fire-grate.

In order to regulate the quantity of fuel discharged onto the fire-grate, the valve or plate F is moved up or down opposite the outlet B (according as less or more fuel is required) by turning of the handle J.

It will be seen in the drawings that the flue of the boiler to which I have shown my ma chine applied is provided with a false bottom plate or lining. which, however, though in some cases useful, has no connection with the operation of the machine.

Having described the nature of my said invention, and explained the manner of carrying the same into practical effect, I would remark that I do not claim, generally, as of my invention, the combination, in amechanical stoker, of apparatus for breaking the fuel with apparatus for distributing the same, and, save and except as hereinafter mentioned, I do not intend to claim any of the mechanical parts of the apparatus hereinbefore shown and described, when taken separately and apart from the combination orapplication thereof, in manner and for the purposes herein described; but

\Vhat I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim, is-

1. In a mechanical stoker, the combination, with a fuel-breaking box or hopper, of an endless chain formed or provided with teeth, and caused to travel, substantially as described, so as to break up or reduce pieces of fuel exceeding the size desired to be thrown onto the tire, and so as to draw the fuel out of the breaking box or hopper, as hercinabove set forth.

2. The combination, with a fuel-breaking box or hopper and fuel-feeder, of an outlet for fuel, and an adjustable valve or plate, the upper edge of which constitutes an adjustable lower edge to the said outlet, for regulating the supply of fuel, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a mechanical stoker,

of a feed-controlling valve and a return-inlet for fuel, substantially as described.

4. In combination with the fuel-breaking box, endless chain, channel or passage D, outlet, and adjustable valve or plate, as described, the return inlet or aperture E, through which excess of fuel carried out of the hopper by the endless chain or traveling feeder is returned to the hopper, substantially as described.

5. In combination with the main drivingshaft a, and fuel-breaking box a, the footstep d, hinged to said box at f, and abutting against it at g, substantially as described and shown.

6. In combination with the main drivingshaft a, the worm m, with its socketed disk in, as and for the purposes specified.

7. In combination with the main drivingshaft a and worm m, the worm-wheel m and axis 5, for driving the endless chain 1, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

8. In combination with the main drivingshaft a, and worm m, with socketed disk m", the spurwheel j, ratchet l secured to said spurwheel, and the trigger and spring I" working in the socket of disk m", substantially as described and shown, for the purposes specified.

9. The combination, with the main drivingshaft a, and worm m, with socketed disk m", of the spurwheel j, ratchet Z, trigger and spring I, pinion k, axis n, and flexible shaft or spiral coil q, all substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In combination with the main driving shaft a, worm m, spur-wheel j, pinion k, and pinion-axis n, the disk 0, with eccentricallyplaced hole, through which the axis passes, and the box or case p, in which the said disk is held and is capable of adjustment, all sub stantial] y as described, for the purposes specitied.

11. In combination with the distributerbody r, the boss 1"", the axis h, formed in two lengths, one screwed into said boss, and the socket-like bearing 8, all substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the breaking-box e, furnace-door 9, and lever-belt shifter y, of the catch 2, for locking said door in its closed position so long as the belt is on the fast pulley b, substantially as described.

13. The hereinabove-described combination, with the fuel-breaking box a, of the C-shaped steel links 1, connected together by steel pins 2, the curved fixed guides or liners 3, toothed wheels 4, shaft 5, toothed wheels 6, shaft 7, socket-bushes 8, and plate 22*, all substantially as described, for the purposes specified.

14. In combination with the fuel-breaking box 0, the saddle 10, swiveling forked support 11, tube or holder 12, with trunnions or axes, suspending-rod 13, and branch 15, all substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

15. In combination with the fuel-breaking box saddle 10, swiveling forked support 11, tube or holder 12, suspending-rod 13, and branch 15, the screws 16, with locking-nuts,

and the adjustable studs 17, formed as de-' scribed, for the purposes specified.

16. The co1nbination,in a mechanical stoker, of a fuel-hopper and breaking-box, an endless traveling fuel-breaking and feeding chain, with channel or passage for fuel between it and the interior lower part of the breakingbox, an outlet for fuel adjustable by a valve or plate, a spout leading to a distributer, a return-inlet to the hopper for surplus fuel, an upright shaft with fast and loose pulleys, said shaft driving the endless traveling chain through a worm, worm-wheehand shaft, and actuating the distributer through a clutch, a spur-wheel, a spur-pinion, supported, as described, with axis adjustable by a disk eccentrically perforated, a flexible shaft, and a compound axis, the whole constructed, arranged, and operating substantially as described and shown.

HENRY GLI/FTON CARVER.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM MELTON,

Bookkeeper, Lla'n'idloes. StLAs MITCHELL,

Foreman Engineer, Llan'idloes. 

